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Pennsylvania Forestry Association News

Posted: October 15, 2014

An update from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association.

By Robb Piper, PFA President

It is important for everyone to know of a recent change with the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. Our office has moved to 116 Pine Street in Harrisburg under the administration of Versant Strategies (VS). PFA has contracted with VS to handle the Association’s daily operations. The process, part of our strategic plan, has been in the works for about ten years. Walt Peechatka (PFA president -1973-75) is a senior consultant with VS and has been very helpful in making this transition. I want to thank Ginny Myers, our former office staff, for all her efforts on behalf of PFA. She was so cooperative with the office changeover and helping to make the move efficient.

In honor of our late friend and past president Lloyd Casey, PFA is participating in a fund drive to sponsor tax workshops. The drive has started with a great response but there is more to do. We are especially thankful to the Casey family for their significant contribution. Please consider making a donation to this worthwhile outreach project.

The 128th PFA Annual Meeting held in Wellsboro, Tioga County, planned by Roy Siefert with the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, was a first-class success. A high point of the evening was Roy receiving the Joseph T. Rothrock Award. Everyone enjoyed the evening banquet and the day’s tours. We also held Association elections and retained all our current officers; we will welcome several new board members in December.

Increasingly, I am hearing more and more about woodland owner legacy planning. I suspect many families find it difficult to talk about this emotional topic. Most landowners love their land and forest. Sometimes that close relationship with the land extends across generations. Because this is such a touchy subject, it may be difficult to discuss meaningful long range planning, and the subject often gets sidelined “for another day.” Know there is help available about this sensitive topic, and that more and more forest resource professionals are receiving training on how to help guide the conversation about the future of your land. If you would like to learn more, I suggest you visit the Penn State Extension Legacy Planning website to see some of the resources available for Pennsylvania forest landowners wanting to start this discussion.

I hope you learn more as you read. Remember: help us grow. Recruit a new member for the Pennsylvania Forestry Association.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Forestry Association or becoming a member, visit the PFA website or call 800-835-8065.